Vancouver protesters to rally against Stephen Harper's prorogation of Parliament

Canadians will gather for protests across the country on Saturday (January 23) to voice their anger at the Stephen Harper government for its decision to prorogue Parliament until March 3.

In Vancouver, protesters will gather at the Vancouver Art Gallery at 1 p.m. and march to Victory Square. The local rally is one of 50 events set to take place in communities across Canada. Canadians also plan to hold protests in London, New York, and Dallas.

The Facebook group behind the nationwide event—Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament—had over 209,000 members as of noon today (January 22). More than 900 people had confirmed they will attend the Vancouver rally.

Glyn Lewis, a local protest organizer, told the Straight in a phone interview that he hopes the rallies will send a clear message to the Conservative government that Canadians care about democracy.

“The principle is democracy,” Lewis said. “It’s about the ideals and principles of our country, this isn’t about politics.”

According to Lewis, the issue isn’t about right versus left but rather right versus wrong.

“We want to focus on Canadians and bringing forth their voices, and want to do everything we can to keep the partisan politics out of it,” he said.

On December 30, 2009, Harper shut down Parliament until after the Winter Olympics. Critics have called the prorogation an attempt by the Conservative government to evade scrutiny surrounding the Afghan detainee issue.

The prime minister had previously prorogued Parliament in December 2008, as opposition parties prepared to bring down the government and form a coalition.

Robert Hamilton, a self-described “conservative old fogey”, will speak at Saturday’s protest in Vancouver.

Hamilton told the Straight he hasn’t been to a protest in over 10 years but felt compelled to voice his anger and disappointment with federal government’s decision to prorogue Parliament.

“I think the message to political parties should be that prorogue must not be abused,” Hamilton said by phone. “Instead of focusing so much on playing games and using tactics, Parliament should put their energy on providing real leadership and real vision, because that’s what we all want from our government.”

Both Lewis and Hamilton are optimistic that protests like the one planned for Saturday will force the prime minister to pay attention to Canadians.

“It’s so incredible to see so many people have such conviction about this issue,” Lewis said. “I think Stephen Harper will have to listen if enough voices rally on this Saturday.”

Comments

3 Comments

RodSmelser

Jan 22, 2010 at 2:02pm

There will be an anti-prorogation protest in Maple Ridge, Saturday, January 23rd at 2pm in front of the offices of Tory MP Randy Kamp.
Rod Smelser

pragprog

Jan 22, 2010 at 6:17pm

Well said. It is our collective apathy that has allowed too many checks and balances on the power of the Prime Minister to occur and this shameful act is the line that has now been crossed. Only the power of the people can bring it back to where the Prime Minister is accountable to Parliament, rather than Parliament being accountable to the PM. So please people of all political persuasions, if you believe in rejuvenating democracy in Canada, please protest in whatever way you...go to the rally, write your MP or the PM, and especially get out and vote in the none-too-soon election next election.

Harper is a closet fascist

Jan 22, 2010 at 10:05pm

History shows there are certain steps that any would-be dictator must take to destroy constitutional freedoms.
1. Suspend the rule of law
2. Create a gulag
3. Develop a thug caste
4. Set up an internal surveillance system
5. Harass citizens' groups
6. Engage in arbitrary detention and release
7. Target key individuals
8. Control the press
9. Dissent equals treason
10. Invoke a terrifying internal and external enemy

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/apr/24/usa.comment